We use very few disposable items now that we’re striving for a more eco-friendly lifestyle. However, I continued using conventional sandwich baggies until recently. We homeschool and are often “out and about” during the week. I try to take sandwiches with us so I won’t be tempted to stop somewhere for lunch. I was reluctant to let go of plastic bags simply because I hadn’t found a good alternative. Recently I visited Reusablebags.com where I saw the Wrap-N-Mat, an alternative to the plastic sandwich bag. I have been using this product for a few weeks now and feel comfortable recommending it to my Natural Living readers here at Bella Online.

The Wrap-N-Mat was created by a Colorado mom of four, Bonnie Stromme, in 1998. Since then, the eco-friendly product has been featured in magazines such as Mothering, Parents, and Woman’s Day. The Wrap-N-Mat is an octagon-shaped mat with fabric on one side and a food-safe PEVA liner on the other. The product is designed to carry a sandwich to work or school and also serves as a clean placemat when opened. I’ve used this product for a while now and can tell you that it’s easily wiped clean and can be hand or machine-washed as needed. The Wrap-N-Mat website boasts that their customers love the product and that a refund has never been requested!

While it may seem a bit pricey at $7 a piece, it’s important to note that the Wrap-N-Mat will pay for itself over time and, more importantly, is better for the environment than conventional sandwich bags. So what’s wrong with plastic bags? They harm animals and the environment. They take more than 1,000 years to biodegrade in a landfill and are rarely recycled. In addition, the production of plastic bags uses non-renewable resources and pollutes the environment. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales, and other animals die every year because of plastic bags. Turtles often mistake plastic bags floating in the ocean for jellyfish. If eaten, they can choke the turtle or cause a fatal obstruction in the bowel.

According to Reusable Bags, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year. That's more than a million bags a minute. By using the Wrap-N-Mat instead of a plastic bag for your sandwich, you can help reduce plastic bag consumption. I also recommend that you purchase reusable bags for your groceries. Every little bit you do helps the environment and may even save a life.